The past few weeks have a been a crazy round of presentations and events in New York, London and Italy, with barely a moment for catching our breath. The highlight of course has been seeing so many old friends, and meeting new supporters of the bears, dogs and cats, where we've been able to convey the reality of the progress across China.

For the first time, Animals Asia now has a "Charity Emporium" which, as our UK Director Gill Maltby explains, is unlike any charity shop she has ever seen. Thanks to super supporter Denise Jacobs, who has been instrumental in getting the shop off the ground, it has opened to enormous fanfare in Western-Super-Mare.

Many of you may remember that I recently posted a blog about Jeannette Jaussi from Switzerland and her visit to our bear sanctuary in Vietnam. Jeannette is part of VZUT, an amazing support group of Swiss friends in the beautiful city of Bern, who dedicate their lives to helping the bears. They have flea markets, Klausen Sacklies, and even make delicious homemade cakes that are personally delivered by Santa Claus at Christmas!

Little did I know, when first introduced to some new UK supporters during a roadshow event some years ago, that they would turn out to be such generous and magnificent supporters of our work to end bear farming.

It was lovely recently to have on site at our Tam Dao sanctuary Jeremy Higgs, who has helped our Vietnam operations so much over the past few years. Here are a few pics of the day (with Tuan, our Vietnam Director, and vet Kirsty).